That's why he purchased expensive photovoltaic solar panels to power the 110-cow dairy farm his family has owned since the early 19th century.

Despite a hefty $100,000 outlay, electric bills at Peckhaven Farm will be locked in for the next quarter-century.

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"The big savings is going to be 25 years down the road because (the cost of) electricity is going to increase faster than the overall inflation rate," said Peck, who runs the business with his father, Joe.

Solar panels were installed last February and Peck estimates he's already saved $10,000.

Dairy farms require large amounts of electricity to cool milk and power giant fans that keep cows comfortable during the hot summer months.

"They're loving this weather right now," Peck said of his herd. "They don't like the heat, and if they aren't comfortable, they don't produce as much."

Working with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Peck had an energy audit done before having solar panels installed. The audit showed how the farm could reduce energy costs by replacing old equipment with modern, energy-efficient technology.

Peckhaven's panels face south in an open area along Wagman's Ridge Road.

Peck said the system produces nearly 90 percent of the farm's electricity.

"It's definitely significant," he said.

Peckhaven has two separate 25,000-watt systems, which would have cost about $300,000 to put in place. However, a combination of grants, refundable tax credits and depreciation made Peck's cost about one-third that.

The project, designed to last at least 25 years, was funded under Gov. Andrew Cuomo's NY-Sun initiative through NYSERDA's open-enrollment Solar PV Program for systems that are 50 kilowatts or smaller. NY-Sun is a public-private partnership that aims to drive growth in the solar industry and make solar technology more affordable for all New Yorkers.

NYSERDA is authorized to provide up to $3.1 million in incentives per month in 2013 through the program.

Other members of the local farming community are buying into solar energy as well.

Barber Brothers Dairy in Northumberland also had solar panels installed last February.

"In summer, the system made more kilowatt hours than the farm uses, so

we accumulated credits," Linda Barber said. "We just used up all those credits, so except for a small tax bill, we've had free electricity up until this winter."

Thomas Poultry Farm in Northumberland had its photovoltaic system installed last spring by Latham-based company New York Light Energy, which has also installed solar panels at Sycaway Creamery in Troy. The firm's model is different than NYSERDA's -- New York Light Energy's customers are guaranteed lower rates than they're currently paying in utilities, but they don't have to make any upfront capital investments. The customer only pays for the energy produced and does not invest in equipment or maintenance.

The Barbers are going one step farther in their quest for energy savings by installing a solar hot-water heater for their dairy barn.

In addition to cutting costs, these improvements help neighboring farms by reducing demand on the conventional power grid. Bacon Hill is a heavily concentrated farming district.

"Before, lights would dim and milking machine pulsators wouldn't work quite as fast because all the farms around here were milking at the same time, putting a huge drain on the system," Barber said.

Going solar has alleviated some of that pressure.

"I like the whole idea of using the sun's energy," she said.

All Peck has to do is look at look at the numbers.

"It's a no-brainer," he said.

The NY-Sun initiative is also available to homeowners, small businesses and not-for-profits. For information, go to www.nyserda.ny.gov/pv and scroll down to "NYSERDA Solar PV Program Incentives (for systems 50 kW and smaller)."

NYSERDA has a competitive incentive program for larger PV systems as well.